Geography of Sapporo
Sapporo, Japan, the capital and largest city of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island and prefecture. The city lies in western Hokkaido near the Sea of Japan, about 520 miles (840 km) north of Tokyo. Sapporo is a commercial and industrial center, producing wood products, textiles, processed foods, beer, and machinery.
The heart of the city is the Odori, a long, tree-lined and landscaped mall flanked by modern buildings. Notable institutions include the Batchelor Museum, with exhibits on Ainu culture, and Hokkaido University, founded in 1876. An elaborate Snow Festival is held here each February; in nearby mountains are some of Japan's best ski areas and spas.
Sapporo was originally an Ainu village. It was laid out as a city in 1871 and in 1886 replaced Hakodate as the capital of Hokkaido. Unlike many other Japanese cities, Sapporo was not damaged during World War II. Sapporo was the site of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games.
Population: 1,822,368.